Where a house is built has a huge impact on how it is constructed, the materials that are used and the features it incorporates. These regional preferences are the result of many factors, including:
• Availability of indigenous materials
• Climate considerations
• Population density
• Building codes
• Labor force
• Ethic influences
When you relocate to a different part of the country, it may be less important to seek out what’s familiar than to understand why homes in the new locale are built as they are. The best snapshot of regional housing choices is provided by data from the U.S. Census Bureau, says Stephen Melman, director of economic services, economics and housing policy at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The Census Bureau compiled data on detached single-family homes built in 2008; here are some regional differences gleaned from the census and Melman’s own insights:
Number of stories — On average, 57 percent of the houses nationwide were two or more stories high, but the number jumps to 84 percent in the Northeast, where land is pricey and population dense.
Melman predicts that in the future, house sizes will likely shrink. “The large baby boomer population will be purchasing new homes with smaller footprints because they are typically empty nesters,” he says. “The preference for one-story homes competes with the high cost of land, especially in the Northeast and West Coast. But the growing affordability of residential elevators could make multilevel homes appealing to this very large market segment.”
Siding — On a national level, primary exterior-wall preferences are split fairly evenly among brick, wood, stucco and vinyl siding, but each region has its personal favorite. In the clay-rich South, brick enjoyed a solid 42 percent of market share (compared with 24 percent nationwide), and fiber-cement siding is strongest there. Vinyl siding clad a whopping 77 percent of Northeastern homes (versus just 31 percent nationwide), whereas aluminum siding dominated the Midwest at 58 percent. Stucco is the West’s surface of choice at 55 percent.
Melman thinks ethnicity has a material impact on regional preferences. “Over time, ethnic communities develop with specific housing preferences,” he says. “ For instance, demand for stucco walls is reinforced by ethnic preferences, as are homes that incorporate spiritual rooms, avoid mirrors at the entry area or face a specific direction.”
Foundations — If you’re into basements, head for the Northeast or Midwest, where you’ll find them in 78 percent and 76 percent of homes respectively (compared with only 26 percent of detached single-family homes across the country). On-slab construction is similarly popular (at 71 percent) in the South and slightly above average in the West, though Western homes are most likely to be built above crawlspaces.
Soil conditions often play a prominent role in foundation choices: “For example, in many areas of Texas the presence of solid limestone prevents basement construction,” Melman says.
Outdoor living space — Regardless of locale, homes reflect people’s enjoyment of the outdoors. Porches now beat out patios and decks in all regions of the country. In the South and West, patios are the overwhelming second choice. In the Northeast, decks still stand tall at 42 percent.
Heating and cooling — Regional climates and fuel sources are the prime drivers of heating systems and fuel choices. Forced air is the overwhelming preference for heating in the Northeast, Midwest and South because the ductwork can also be used for central air conditioning. But in the South, where the need for cooling overpowers that for heating , heat pumps have the edge at 55 percent. Not surprisingly, gas has overwhelming market share in the Northeast and Midwest, and electric heat is most common in the low-demand South.
Melman predicts fuel supplies will impact future HVAC choices. “Natural gas supplies are projected to increase. As such, the electric heat pumps in the South might give way to natural gas or even alternative sources of heat,” he says.
Comparing the latest census data to that of 1973 shows some significant nationwide trends. The biggest winners are vinyl siding, porches, heat pumps and air conditioning. That corresponds with research indicating people want low-maintenance, energy-efficient homes that they can stay in as they age.
“NAHB surveys suggest that potential homeowners prefer ‘green’ design and will spend up to 5 percent of the purchase price of a new home on environmental upgrades such as solar panels, insulated windows and energy-efficient appliances,” Melman says. “However, beyond that, affordability concerns take over, and buyers will not spend much more on green features.”
SOURCES:
Stephen Melman
Director, Economic Services, Economics and Housing Policy,
National Association of Home Builders
US Census Bureau
www.census.gov
National Board of Realtors